Blog Request: Khloe & Lamar "Sometimes I feel like a fatherless child"

It never occurred to me to do blog requests, until I actually got a request (LOL). But I absolutely love the idea and would be more than happy to blog on any topic you would like to see talked about. So feel free to leave a request comment or email me!

And sorry for the lack of posts lately. It's about that time in the school year where the work load starts picking up and the first thing to go is my blog. Sorry :-(

Anyway, I got a request to talk about last night's premiere episode of Khloe & Lamar on E!

I have to admit that I watch all the Kardashian shows....yes its true.

It's my guilty pleasure! Aside from all the hunger for media attention that is the essence of the Kardashian family, they're alright with me. (LOL)

I for one could have neverimagined that a sex tape would result in an entire empire for not just Kim, but her entire family! It might be fair to say that her star power has surpassed that of her R&B crooner turned reality TV celebrity co-star Ray-J. ( -__- )

And though I certainly have my criticisms of the first family of reality TV and how they acquired their fame, I will reserve judgment for now.

So back to last night's premiere.

I initially was sort of irritated at the thought of yet another spin off show. I mean honestly, the Kardashians are on our small screens consistently year round. Did we not JUST close out Kourtney and Kim Take New York last week? Kardashian saturation was not putting me in a good head space.

But, I tuned in despite my better judgment, and was pleasantly surprised.

Let's face it. When you first got wind of a wedding for Khloe and Lamar you just new things would not go down unless a camera crew was there to witness. The whole situation was a quick recipe for reality TV gold. But their marriage, though only a year, has outlasted many of our expectations. But we can't say we didn't see this show coming.

My thing is, I'm a Laker fan. And anything that would potentially distract Lamar from the game was just simply not going to fly. But so far, it doesn't seem like its affected his game. Also, Khloe & Lamar is one of the few shoes to get actual NBA access to shoot footage. I wonder if LaLa will have such luck...hmm?

Anyway, last night's show I'm ashamed to say had me on the brink of tears. I know, I know I'm shaking my head right along with you. But if you didn't watch...don't judge, thanks!

The episode featured a hot button issue in our community, fatherless children.

Lamar's father Joe Odom, who is a former heroin addict popped up on Khloe and Kourtney at a book signing. This was the first time they had met. After getting acquainted and making small talk, Joe preceded to ask Khloe if it's alright if he and his new wife get a couple of tickets to the Laker game. Khloe agreed to make it happen. Things were all fine and well until Khloe mentioned the little family reunion to Lamar who was none too pleased.

Lamar expressed to Khloe that he and his father had a difficult and complicated relationship that was beyond her comprehension, and suggested that she just leave it alone. However, Khloe having lost her own father, didn't see why Lamar was being so cold and why he wouldn't even allow his Dad to come to a game. Lamar said Joe knew the terms of his and Lamar's relationship, which did not include game attendance. He felt Joe should have never popped up on Khloe. Unsatisfied with Lamar's reasoning for isolating his father, Khloe continues to push the issue; at which point Lamar makes a random phone call to Joe to show Khloe his true nature.

This is where things got misty. After what seemed to be a few minutes on the phone, Joe Odom started asking Lamar for money, tickets, shoes, etc. Lamar had already been fully supporting Joe with rent money and a monthly allowance, yet his father consistently sought out more material things from his rags to riches son. I was so hurt for Lamar. He regarded the phone call as though it was typical conversation, which was very saddening. It was as if he had become completely numb to his father soliciting money from him. Yet, you could still see he was very hurt that his father only maintained a relationship for what he could get out of it. The two had lost so many years of their relationship due to Joe's postwar drug addiction. And now that both are seemingly in a better space in their lives (Lamar's pro-ball career and Joe's sober life) Joe was more focused on using Lamar than loving him.

It's no secret that post Vietnam, soldiers were not properly taken care of to make sure they were mentally sound to return to a normal life, and many turned to drugs and alcohol to cope, resulting in a range of negative consequences for them and their families. Many ended up abandoning their responsibilities. Lamar's story is all too familiar to so many families. Lamar acknowledged his father's difficult life, but said that he was not looking for him to be a father, but to just act like he was a father. Acting like a decent human being would have sufficed. I don't want to judge Joe, because I honestly can't imagine all he has been through, but there has got to be a better way to go about having a relationship with Lamar. But does he even REALLY want a relationship?

This issue is something that can arise with many young men today growing up without a father. If you don't take the opportunity to be one when you had it, can you ever really reestablish that relationship?

Your thoughts?

Are We Being Too Rough on "The Game"

Not everyone was pleased when the hit sitcom "The Game" returned to cable television with record-setting ratings. Sure, I expected that. There's always a critic. But, its been 8 weeks since the show's return and feedback has been steadily less than flattering.

I initially voiced by concerns with the new, more dramatic format of the show in a past post, but eventually came to terms with new changes. However, negative whispers about Kelly's new attitude, a soap-operaesque plot, and the Brit-brat swap have been festering consistently since season 4's debut and its truly beginning to worry me. This coupled with so-so ratings and the fact that the show has not yet been confirmed for a 5th season has me wondering are we in danger of losing the show again?

I've thought seriously about some of the complaints that I've heard, and it all seems quite trivial in the larger scheme of things. We are in a television era where Jersey Shore ranks as the highest weekly rated show for cable TV and yet, we take issue with The Game? Someone help me see the light, please! This baffles me.

I wouldn't be surprised if the shade thrown at The Game's new season is provided by those who hopped on the bandwagon. At any rate, the actors on the show are aware of the mixed feelings of "fans" who have reached out via Twitter, and the cast has urged them to direct their comments toward the powers that be at BET.

I partly feel as though social media's involvement in the show's return is beginning to backfire. Roughly two years ago, Game fans on Facebook and Twitter united to lead an ambitious campaign for The Game's return. And obviously it worked. However, I think there was a price to pay. It seems as though viewers have become to invested in their presumed "power." Because they were responsible for the comeback, they feel a sense of entitlement to the shows content. Sure every fan has right to their opinion, but we can't expect for it to be adopted as law.

Furthermore, people have to get used to change. Hello! Things change. They just do. In this case the show can't win for losing. If they hadn't changed a thing, I'm sure some would have said the new season ran dry. Now that they've stirred the pot, people don't like the recipe. Sigh...

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with voicing opinions. In fact, most shows encourage social media heads to "watch and discuss." The key thing here being to watch.

Anyway, I say all this to say. Discontentment cannot cause us to disengage. What a shame that would be after all of this right? Bottom line is there are about two handfuls of reality Tv shows we should probably be petitioning against right now....and we're not. Why?

Why are we being so rough on The Game?

It's a Thin Line...

Satirical video of the "Real Housewives of Civil Rights" raises eyebrows in the midst of black history month.

What do you think? Funny, or gone too far?

Leave your thoughts....

The Trendsetters: African-Americans on Twitter being heard, but not saying much

If you've been a user of Twitter for any extended period of time than you know that trending topics are the "what's happening and when" of the popular social network. Trends include hot topics about what everyone is watching (Grammys) to the major news of the moment (Egypt). But more and more, certain topics are sounding like something picked from a round-table discussion at the family reunion. For example, #blackparentquotes or #ifsantawasblack. Subjects that appear to be created by and targeted toward African-Americans have become so frequent that they were given a nickname, "black tags". But why are #blacktags so popular you may ask?
Well, a recent article on rollingout.com cited a study from Edison Research's Annual Report saying...

Although black people comprise about 12 percent of the general population, they account for 25 percent of the population of users on Twitter. As a consequence, they tend to follow celebrities and post more trending topics. On Twitter, for example, young blacks follow more people, retweet more often, and reply to posts more frequently causing certain topics to rise in popularity that have nothing to do with breaking news or information.

Since this report, many articles have sprouted up online condemning Twitter's black culture for their lack of "consciousness" with regard to trending topics, and suggest that users are in need of a wake-up call. Indeed there are many opportunities made available through the use of social media and there is something powerful to be said about the influence of black culture on Twitter. However, though 25% might start a topic, its not enough to keep it going if no one else catches on. Nonetheless, many are saying African-American users are not taking advantage of their wide influence.

Trending topics like #ghettobabynames have become the norm, but what many don't realize is that social media can often provide a safe space for hate, where bigomists, racists and the like can promote their values without reprimand. And they do. Many of these individuals use racially aimed TT's, that were perhaps intended for comedy, as ammunition for their corrupt values. Discussing the differences between black and white parents might be of normal comedic conversation between friends, but when broadcast to millions of users without understanding of the context, the conversation and the message becomes diluted and can get lost fairly quickly. I had to learn this the hard way.

But while the topics on twitter largely consist of subjects representing an unfavorable depiction of black culture, I have to disagree that African-Americans aren't at all using their voice on twitter for ANY good. Afterall, it was their voice that led the social media campaign to bring back yet another wrongfully canceled black sitcom "The Game" after two years off the air. Other more positive topics that have trended include #mlkday to commemorate Martin Luther King's birthday and #unsung a TV show honoring black superstars who's stories were never told. Ultimately, they are using their influence to raise awareness about subjects that otherwise would not reach beyond the consciousness of African-Americans. However, I believe that this is only scratching the surface. The more positively skewed topics that do become trends lack the depth of other trending topics related to socio-political issues, and trend far less often. There is so much more good that can done and my hope is that black users begin to utilize their influence to bring about positive changes.

The issue with this mission, is that for one, how does Twitter determine the ethnicity of their users? It isn't requested when signing up for account. I only assume by the nature of the content that the trending topics are started by a black person, but how can this be proven? Furthermore, users would need to be on one accord to spread knowledge about what's going on in black communities across the US and worldwide. But the truth of the matter is that social media has different uses and gratifications for different people. Some use Twitter to get news and information about the world around them, while others use it to spread information. And then are those who have less strategic uses for Twitter and simply view it as a leisure activity. And any user can employ a variety of motives for Twitter use at any time. So, I guess my question is how does this change occur?

Yes, the foolishness needs to stop, but will it? Who knows.

What are your thoughts?

Let's Stay Together...I sure hope so.

Photo Credit: poptower.com

BET's night of premiere's included the much anticipated season 4 premiere of The Game and new original series, Let's Stay Together.

Let's stay together managed to hold on to 4.4 million viewers left over from The Game's premiere.

That's pretty good for BET's first real scripted series.

I love the concept for Let's Stay Together, which is a show about the lives of two young couples and a single woman as they go through the different stages of relationships.

The show features some very talented actors Bert Belasco, Nadine Ellis, Joyful Drake, RonReaco Lee, and Erica Hubbard.

You may remember Joyful from Hair Show and PhatGirlz, Erica from Lincoln Heights, and RonReaco from Sister Sister.

The first episode seemed a little corny, but it has a lot of potential to be a great show.

I love that the show is making the monogamous relationship something to be desired again. If there's anything black families need nowadays its to stay together.

I'm excited to see where the show takes us.

Hopefully the ratings for this show as well as the The Game will stay consistent. We've already showed that we want the return of the black sitcom, but we've gotta watch to prove it.

I sure hope we can keep it together.

The Game Serves Up a Record Breaking Premiere

Photo Credit: costmag.com

The most anticipated night in television took place last night with the return of "The Game." 7.7 million viewers tuned in to watch Ding-Dong, Med School and the whole gang reconvene for a drama-filled season 4 premiere, and they did NOT disappoint.

However, there was a lot of mixed feedback on my Twitter and Facebook feeds about the show being over-the-top. Maybe so, but they had a lot of hype to live up to and could not take the chance of being underwhelming after a two-year wait. And with all the pressure to perform, I definitely think they rose to the occasion.

I had to watch the show on my DVR several times just to soak it all in. The overall production has definitely stepped up their "game." From the set design, to the writing, music and wardrobe, the show has turned it all the way up. And the storyline is juicier than ever. I LOVE IT! And despite what qualms people have with BET, I have noticed the steps they are trying to make in the right direction...kudos.

But back to the show.

The last time we saw the gang Kelly and Jason had just finalized their divorce. Fast forward two years and the former Kelly Pitts is still enjoying her new found freedom and independence and finally living high off of Jason's dime. She's even filming a reality show to establish her own identity called Ex-Ballers Wives, much to Jason's chagrin. Hmm where have I seen that before? (LOL) Jason's not doing so good though. He and Kelly are bickering non-stop and his standing with the Sabers is on the rocks as well. It seems that as the divorce settled, so did the reality that losing his marriage would subsequently cost him his family and his career. I don't know about you, but I'm still pulling for these two. It ain't over til I say its over! (TEHE).

The biggest change in the Pitts family would have to be the casting change of their daughter Britney. Lots of people expressed their disapproval for the new "Brit-Brat." I, too, like the old Britney but come on folks. There are a lot of legalities that go into having children on TV. Its two years later and no parents in their right mind would up jump the boogie to Atlanta for their daughter to only play a recurring role. I'm sure we will get used to this older pop-tart Britney in no time.

Thankfully, Tasha Mack is still Tasha Mack, serving up all the quick-witted punch lines that we know and love her for. But there's no Rick Fox this time around :-(. She's got a new boo, Dante played by Terrence J. He did his thing despite however uncomfortable it was viewing his pre-pubescent body making out with a grown woman, but I guess it's a part of the dynamic. It's no easy task keeping up with firecracker Ms. Mack but Terrence J certainly held his own. Only time will tell how long this relationship will last.

With Terrence J came a host of other cameos including Meagan Good, Sheree Whitfield and Chris Webber. The guest appearances were slightly excessive, but its understandable. I mean it is the premiere people! And with so many fans of the show I'm sure people were busting down BET doors to get one of the coveted spots.

Meagan Good did a nice job playing the role of the Saber owner's wife that Malik is smashing. It suited her so well. Now don't sit there and judge me like you thought this role was a stretch. What can I say...its what she's "good" at (LOL). Seriously though, I would LOVE to see her express her range some more by playing something other than the jump off or girlfriend. I'd like to believe she's selling herself short and has more to offer, but I just need to see it.

Sheree, however, was as random as cameos came. I know they are filming in the ATL, but we're still supposed to believe the Sabers are in San Diego and Sheree was just an unnecessary reminder that we were in Atlanta. And was that Rick Ross barely understandable at the top of the staircase of Malik's house? Anywho...

I thought Chris Webber did a GREAT job as the sports announcer interviewing Jason Pitts. If he doesn't have a job sportscasting someone should snatch him up. But there was a teenie pet-peeve that was introduced in this scene that remained obvious, at least to me, throughout the entire remainder of the show....THAT DARN LAUGHING TRACK.

Was it me or was it too low? It's like they wanted to laugh, but not really. There were a lot of hilarious punch lines that fell through the cracks because of the unenthusiastic laugh track. I really hope they fix that, because it made some of the jokes awkward. The laugh track lets the live audiences and viewers at home know that this is your cue to laugh. I didn't realize how necessary it was until now. But I digress.

Mama Mack's baby boy is back living life in the fast lane, but it seems he may need to slow down. Due to an injury setback, he is no longer the Sabers' franchise player. And Lik-Lik is having a hard time coping with the change. He's also having difficulty getting used to his sidekick and everyone's favorite flunky Tee-Tee, who has retired as Malik's b...h boy and has a new gig as a businessman. (He owns a chicken truck)

Malik refuses to take Tee-Tee seriously and still treats him like a wing man. He even ignores Tee-Tee's advice to lay low about sleeping with the Saber owner's wife (Meagan Good). Malik adds to his disregard for Tee-Tee by also getting it in with Tee-Tee's girlfriend Allison. And let me just say Malik has gone TOO FAR. It's bad enough to be sleeping with the owner's wife, but doubling up with your best-friend's girl? Come on Malik! Why are you playin?! But this is why I love The Game...for keeping it real. The reality is a lot of famous athletes have Malik's same mentality, that "the rules don't apply." But of course, every dog has his day and I think Malik will soon reap the consequences of his selfish and reckless ways, and Lord have mercy on him when he does.


But if you thought that was drama, then you must not know Derwin and Melanie. Fast forward two years after the wedding from hell and the ill-timed birth of Derwin's son and the two are a married superstar couple adjusting to the lime-light and blended family life. Melanie has put medical school on hold to be a glamorous baller's wife and though I'm disappointed she sacrificed her career for his, the plot remains true to the lives of real athletes' wives who postpone their dreams to be supportive wives and mothers. And I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Dr. Melanie Barnett-Davis.

Melanie's not the only one glammed up to keep up with new superstar Derwin Davis. Janay is back and loving the perks of being a baby mama and has amped up her game as well...and I love it! But it wouldn't be the Davis household without drama. Melanie is still not satisfied playing second fiddle to Derwin's son and is convinced Janay is just out to get what she has. She allows her doubts about Derwin Jr. (DJ) to get the best of her and against advice from Tasha, gets a paternity test for now two-year-old DJ. Well lucky for her, the results came back negative...YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER! Melanie tells Derwin little DJ isn't his, crushing him, but perhaps she shouldn't have spoken so quickly. It seems her hookup at the clinic made a mistake and Derwin is in fact the father of Derwin Jr. (BOOM) How is Melanie gonna fix this one?

Will she tell Derwin? Or will she be consumed by the thought of finally having Janay and DJ out of their lives forever?

Ooo wee! We shall soon find out!

Can't wait til next Tuesday

Will you be watching?

Love That Girl...wish I could.

Photo Credit: shavarross.com

With all "The Game" frenzy ensuing as the 4th season premiere approaches, I somehow managed to catch TV One's original series "Love That Girl." And I have to say I was not impressed. In fact, I was very disappointed.

I tuned into the pilot season last year and wasn't liking what I was seeing. I even though the show got canceled after poor ratings. But no, somehow it survived the pilot season and crept its way into the line-up of new shows in the new year.


Yes, I know there aren't many black sitcoms on the air, although they are starting to resurface, but I can't support a show that's just not good.

And the fact that Martin Lawrence is behind this just adds insult to injury.

Perhaps I should stop ranting and say what issues I have with the show. But let me start with what I do like. I have always been a fan of Tatyana Ali. I've followed her from Fresh Prince to her web-series Buppies and even supported her short-lived music career. But sadly, she is the only thing this show has going for itself.

Tatyana's brother on the show played by Alphonso McAuley (Fat Albert, Glory Road) is funny, but over-the-top. His jokes would go over much more smoothly if not coupled with his unnatural enthusiasm. It made you not want to give him the laugh because he worked too hard for it.

But the two homosexual cast members make McAuley look like Ben Stein, the guy from the Clear Eyes commercial. I'm so over the foo-foo, hyper-feminine stereotype of gay characters. They are obnoxious to say the least.

Oh, but the show has enough stereotypes to go around. "Amunique" is the quintessential rainbow haired, ghetto hoochie with no sense working as a secretary in a business office. And by working I mean spending all day on the phone.

The storylines are unique at best, but are overshadowed by over-the-top characters with eccentric stereotypes.

Unfortunately, I'll be deleting this show from my DVR. Martin should have done better smh.

Have You Ever Eaten Your Words?

Photo Credit: theslimdiva.com

I was organizing the tags on my archived posts when I came across one about Tiny and Toya titled "Baby Mama Love"
Here were my thoughts...

"So has anyone seen the trailer to Tiny and Toya's new show? If you have please tell me wtf its about. I guess Toya is tryna put her name on the map and Tiny had to find something to do while T.I. is locked up but really? I guess I should blame BET for supporting this nonsense but I can't say i'm surprised. What's sadder, the fact that this is really a show or that I'm probably gonna be the first to watch? SMH."

Ouch! (LOL) Well, I was right about one thing...I was the first to watch. (SMH) But contrary to my expectations, the show was not the disaster I'd anticipated. In fact, i actually enjoyed it.

I can admit I prejudged the show and the women. The show was more about Tiny and Toya as individuals rather than them as extensions of their famous counterparts, but with all the debauchery that is female reality TV, I expected the worst...like a reality TV lovechild of Frankie and Neffe and Basketball Wives. Thankfully, such wasn't the case.

The women really seemed to be clear about their intention for the show as a means to set the record straight about their roles as "so and so's" baby mama. The record being, don't call them that. (Ya heard?!) The show even tackled issues in family life such as parents with issues of drug abuse (Toya's mother) and mental disease (Tiny's father). It wasn't the usual over-the-top show and tell of wealth mingled between dramatic cat fights *ahem* (Real Housewives of Atlanta). Anywho, it was...dare I say real?

With all the Amber Rose's and Kat Stacks' of the world on the hunt for the next gullible millionaire entertainer or athlete with a Napoleon complex exchanging money for validation from a beautiful woman, the show portrayed a more down to earth take on life as a trophy wife, exposing realities not so appealing to those looking for, in the words of Tasha Mack, the 3h's: homes, hedge funds and hummers.

Tiny struggled to help her mother cope with her father's Alzheimer's disease, while simultaneously holding down the home front while T.I. continued his stint in jail. (We'll have to address his latest return to the pen for a later post...I can't go there right now).

Toya tried to support her mother through rehab after years of drug abuse in their hometown of New Orleans, LA and re-establish herself as an individual after her high-profile relationship with Lil Wayne.

All the while the women SUPPORTED each other through their trials (imagine that) and raising their children. The show was about family and self-identity.

Ok, enough already right? All I'm trying to say is that I probably shouldn't have written them off so quickly.

Now, here's to hoping they don't do anything to cause me to retract this nice post. *fingers crossed*

#ifSantaWASblack....And?

To all unfamiliar with Twitter.com. Trending Topics are popular topics that majority of people on the site are discussing for a particular time. They are indicated on the bottom of the homepage or right of your personal profile and have a # sign in front so that they'll pop up in the search bar. The topics change, hourly, daily, weekly, etc. depending on how long people decide to pay it attention. As you may imagine, Tiger Woods has been a hot topic for a while. However, this past friday one particular topic struck a unique interest in me, mainly due to the responses and who they were generated from. The topic was if santa was black. Now first let me say that statistics show that over 75% of users on twitter identify as African-American, which I suspect is the reason the topic made it to the trending list. Nonetheless, all users are not black...obviously. Like most trending topics, they generate from a small group and those interested will catch on and keep passing it on until it reaches the masses and makes the list. So someone probably thought it'd be funny to make jokes about if santa was black. And i'll admit it was and I even posted my own view. Until about two seconds later i realized this wasn't just an inside joke but many non-blacks had begun posting their thoughts;and as you can imagine they were not pleasant.

I was ready to go off on each and every person who posted a stereotypical view and racist epithet. And moments later, that's what I found myself doing. I initially started targeting white people and then other non-blacks posting racist things until I moved my way onto the blacks themselves who were clearly unaware or perhaps unmoved by the stereotypes they themselves were perpetuating and others were mocking. I spent a good hour replying individually to the racist remarks with condemning commentary. One gentleman and i use that term loosely by the name of @NothingBett3R retweeted, "#ifsantawasblack he would have over a million kids," to which i replied, "it seems u have "nothingbett3r" 2 do than stereotype. that's sad." He responded by calling me a "dumb hoe" (laughs at the fact he thinks that hurt me.) Anyway, another white person said, "What's funnier about the TT #ifsantaWASblack is all of the "niggas" answering with stereotypes about their own "culture." and then added "I need a black friend to post my answers for #ifsantaWASblack so they will be funny and not racist."

This put things in perspective for me because he was right. The black people trending racist things weren't looked at as racist because they were black. But the non-blacks were certainly not getting away with it, especially as long as i had something to do with it. But i ask myself, did i over react in turning my head away from the blacks repeating the trends and targeting non-blacks. My logic was that blacks as well as every group has "inside jokes" within their dynamic that only they are privy too. Similar to how you can talk about your mama or your sister but let someone outside of your family do it and all hell will break loose. However, the difference between that and this is the platform on which it was taking place. The internet is hardly the place to shout your racial inside jokes back and forth, even if majority of users are black. The "outsiders" and I use that term in a non-literal sense, still see it and some actually believe it. It's not for me to tell blacks to set an example on twitter, but I would like them to be aware that we have a major audience that often looks to us as the authors of cool so if we perpetuate negative stereotypes about ourselves then we give license for others, looking to us for permission, to do the same.

YOUR THOUGHTS???!!!!

To Be Black in America

I was watching an episode of Tyra today and the topic was Light Skinned/Dark Skinned women and Good and Bad Hair. It's a topic that often finds itself as a guest at our kitchen tables, beauty salons, and barbershops and living rooms. I was shocked to hear women on the show discuss the lengths they've gone to to straighten their hair and lighten their skin. One woman bleached her skin with creams and even made her children apply cream daily before school. Another went so far as to bleach her skin with liquid bleach. They attempted to justify their behavior by adding that no one understands what they go through as dark women with a difficult grade of hair. It was nothing I hadn't heard before, but i was saddened to see how they subjected their children to their insecurities. I believe that hate is a learned behavior and it concerns me that even after all this time, we haven't learned to accept our position in black America for what it is and try to advance ourselves without being less ourselves. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!

Another issue discussed was the ever popular Black men dating white women. Many quickly cite "love" as the main reason in an attempt to hush all comments about black men's tendency to exclude black women when picking a mate. The truth is that there are a growing number of black men opting for mixed race or white women over blacks for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with love. I'm sick of hearing about black women's attitudes and how having a white woman helps your status as far as climbing the social ladder to success. I mean if a black man can achieve the highest position in America as President (Barack Obama) with a strong black woman on his arm (Michelle Obama) than what excuse do the rest of us have? I say stop relying on others as your ticket to success and throwing black women under the bus. Remember what unites us is stronger than what divides us. Our struggles have been very similar in America and we should begin scratching each others backs instead of cutting each others throats to get to the top. As a black woman I've seen interracial relationships and thought well if i'm not good enough for black men than who the heck am I good enough for?

I'm not against interracial relationships by any means, because I'm sure I am a product of one as many of us are. I just hate to see our youth being brought up under the misconception that they are not good enough and need to distance themselves from their culture to have a prominent stance in America.


YOUR THOUGHTS????

Bill O'Reilly's Rant on MJ's Blackness

Ok I have my thoughts about his video but I really want you to post your thoughts as well. I have had this conversation with myself several times about Michael Jackson's identity and his place in the black community particularly as a pillar of elevation for our race. As a African-American I think we tend to want to claim what's ours especially if its positive or crosses boundaries like Michael did. He was the greatest Entertainer of all time and it gives blacks a sense of pride to know that he's one of us. But when he began to go through all of his changes many blacks neglected to stand behind him, denouncing him as black and attributing his likeness and behavior to that of whites. However, in his death we welcomed him back to our side.

I for one questioned his choices like everyone else but I never expelled him from the race because no matter how much you change your appearance you can't change the roots. Nonetheless, I did feel a lack of pride on Mike's part. Like we were proud of him but he wasn't proud of us. Then I thought well maybe he doesn't see life that way, as Black or White. Maybe that's why he made the song or maybe he did it to soften the blow of judgment that followed from him bleaching his skin. Or perhaps his troubles with his father have unintentionally created a rift between him and his culture. I too wonder why he chose white donors for his children and why he went so far to erase his dark skin and straighten his kinky hair and narrow his broad noes. But I know that his personal troubles were far more complex than I could imagine and opted to not make his choices a racial issue personally directed at blacks. I know that he was not a prejudice person and though he himself may not have been comfortable being black, it would be an ungrounded assumption and unfair judgment of his character to suggest it was because he regarded blacks negatively.

I think he was undeniably black and his musical talent DID open doors for African-Americans across the entertainment spectrum.That's why he's such a pivotal figure in the elevation and progression of blacks. Anyone who is so good at what they do that their race is no longer an issue is worthy of being recognized as a trailblazer for that race. His increasingly white skin and white children don't prohibit him from breaking down doors for blacks just as white people's tanned skin and adoption of African babies don't prohibit them from white privilege.

He was a black man with issues who whether he desired to or not, did do ground breaking things for African-Americans, and for that we appreciate him. It's not for us to say how much of his bizarre behavior was attributed to his troubled childhood and how much to his prejudices. And in death it serves no purpose to attack one's character. Bill is just as guilty of capitalizing on a media opportunity as the next, he just tries to slide by undiscovered by playing the devils advocate. But um yea, we see you boo...nice try.

That's all from me. PLEASE COMMENT!

First Look: Drake's Best I Ever Had" Video

So Drake's greatly anticipated video for "Best I Ever Had" surfaced recently, just in time for the song to be workin every bodies nerves...except for the remix with R. Kelly.

The video was directed by Kanye West, but instead of being the spectacle of genius and creativity usually associated with Kanye's vids, they thought it better that the video be exactly like every other hoochified mess on BET. If I had my way, the video would have been more akin to the School Daze concept Alicia Keys modeled in her Teenage Love Affair video because that what the song reminds me of... when a guy has ONE special girl who he's head over heels for. Hence her being the f'n best. I especially like the line where Drake says "Sweat pants hair tied, chillin wit no makeup on" and wanted to see that acted out in the vid, because it would be genuine. (That's when I'm most comfortable) Instead, it was the average over-sexed trash today's music videos can't seem to escape. I was a fan of Drake when he was Aubrey Graham who played Degrassi, and not one of the newbies who recently discovered Drake's past, but I actually grew up watching the show. Anywho I was pleasantly surprised to see his evolution into a talented rapper. But lately, it seems he's more concerned with blending in with his peers than being respected by his fans. Sigh, hopefully he can pull it together. But the vid was anything but the f'n best. And if he wants any kind of staying power he needs to avoid being like every one else. We already have a Weezy and needless to say we don't want or need another one. Anyway, Check it out for yourself.

Baby Mama Love

So has anyone seen the trailer to Tiny and Toya's new show? If you have please tell me wtf its about. I guess Toya is tryna put her name on the map and Tiny had to find something to do while T.I. is locked up but really? I guess I should blame BET for supporting this nonsense but I can't say i'm surprised. What's sadder, the fact that this is really a show or that I'm probably gonna be the first to watch? SMH.